Skate Molton CIC

1 October 2025

During the reporting period from 1 October 2024 to 1October 2025, Skate Molton CIC continued to provide accessible skating opportunities and community activities for people in South Molton and the surrounding rural areas.

A significant part of this reporting period was the operation of the Skate Molton HQ. Opening a permanent base was an important step for the organisation and provided a dedicated space for activities and community engagement. The project received a great deal of encouragement and support from the local community.

However, operating a permanent building also brought significant financial challenges. Despite the support received, there was not sufficient regular footfall or available funding to sustainably meet the ongoing costs associated with the premises. The longer-term operation of the building would also have required sufficient funding to provide appropriate staffing and wages, which was not financially achievable for the CIC at that time.

After careful consideration, the decision was therefore made to close Skate Molton HQ at the end of August 2025. Although this was a difficult decision, it was necessary to protect the financial sustainability of the CIC. The premises represented our largest ongoing overhead, and continuing to operate the building without secure funding would have placed unnecessary financial pressure on the organisation.

The closure has enabled Skate Molton CIC to return to the community-based model from which it originally developed. We have continued to focus on delivering activities directly within the community, including pop-up sessions in local parks, Community Skate Nights at South Molton Pannier Market and roller skating lessons.

This approach significantly reduced our overheads while allowing us to continue providing accessible opportunities for people to participate in skating, physical activity and positive social experiences.

Looking forward, we are also working towards expanding our outreach activities, particularly within rural communities where access to affordable recreational and social opportunities can be limited. Rather than being tied to one permanent location, our aim is to take activities into communities and work collaboratively with local organisations and venues.

The reporting period has therefore been one of both challenge and change for Skate Molton CIC. The experience of operating Skate Molton HQ provided valuable learning about the needs of the community and the financial requirements of maintaining permanent premises. Closing the building has allowed us to refocus our resources on our core purpose: providing inclusive, accessible and community-focused activities while developing a more financially sustainable model for the future.

Skate Molton CIC’s stakeholders include the children, young people, adults and families who attend our activities; skateboarders, roller skaters, inline skaters and scooter users; volunteers; local residents; local businesses; schools and community groups; partner organisations; South Molton Town Council and other local authorities; and organisations and individuals who provide funding, donations or other support.

Throughout the reporting period, we have continued to consult with our stakeholders in a variety of informal and formal ways. As a community-based organisation, much of our most valuable feedback comes directly from the people who attend our sessions and activities. We regularly speak with participants, parents, carers and families during sessions and events to understand what is working well, what barriers people are experiencing and what they would like to see us provide in the future.

We have also used our social media channels to communicate with the wider community, promote activities, respond to questions and receive feedback and suggestions. Our volunteers and directors regularly discuss feedback received from participants and the community and this is considered when planning activities and making decisions about the future direction of the CIC.

During the period, operating Skate Molton HQ provided another opportunity for regular engagement with the community. Following consultation, observation of how the facility was being used and consideration of the CIC’s financial position, the directors made the difficult decision to close Skate Molton HQ at the end of August 2025. This decision was made to protect the longer-term financial sustainability of the organisation and enable resources to be focused more directly on community activities.

Feedback from participants and the wider community has continued to demonstrate the importance of accessible, affordable and flexible activities. As a result, Skate Molton CIC has returned its focus to the community-based approach on which the organisation was originally founded. This includes Community Skate Nights and roller skating lessons at South Molton Pannier Market, pop-up activities in parks and other community spaces, and developing opportunities for further outreach into surrounding rural communities.

We also continue to engage with local organisations, businesses, community groups and local authorities. These relationships allow us to share knowledge, identify local needs, develop partnerships and explore opportunities to provide activities in different settings.

Stakeholder consultation is an ongoing part of how Skate Molton CIC operates. By maintaining open communication with participants, families, volunteers, partner organisations and the wider community, we aim to ensure that our activities continue to respond to local needs while remaining realistic and financially sustainable.

The closure of Skate Molton HQ resulted in fixtures being relinquished at their book value of £8,173.

26 September 2026